Bear1142

Carlos, I have plans for a 7mm whisper. I think it has some real potential, but it's a back burner project right now. I'm hoping to start preliminary work on it at the end of this season. Erik

I cranked out a 1.10 on that particular stage at the AL Match and I'm perfectly happy with it and the 6 A's I got on the array. Although I had a miss on one of the last targets (another story), I think I probably had the fastest limited time on the stage. I don't think another 2-3 tenths off my draw would have helped me run the stage faster. I really feel the first two shots on any stage helps to set the rhythm of the run. A bad draw/rushed draw clings to me throughout a stage like the proverbial "monkey on my back". Having a comfortable draw along with two good shots has a very calming effect on me for the rest of a stage. Erik

After my embarrassing finish at the Open Nationals last year, I decided to build a new open gun. I decided to try an OKO sight instead of a C-More for numerous reason that I won't go into here. I ordered a STI OKO scope mount and just got it back from having it mounted. I am extremely disappointed to say the least! There is probably 3/8" of space between the top of the slide and the bottom of the scope mount. It appears that the mount is excessively high. The scope was mounted as far down on the frame as practically possible. Does anybody else have this problem? Does Dawson make a mount for the OKO and does it sit lower than the STI? I will try to get a pic up by tomorrow. Erik I just checked out the STI website and there is a picture of what I'm talking about. Check out the picture of the new STI stinger with the OKO scope. You'll see how high it sits compared to the C-More mounts. What the hell was STI thinking?

I roll the gun 180 degrees and use my strong hand, but I'm trying out some weak hand techniques to see which one works better for me. Erik

SS, Thanks for the kind words. Although the talent of my competition just increased by a factor of 10, I look forward to never, ever being called a sandbagger again! Erik

Phil's wife is not due until around the first week in April. Getting close though. Erik

Along the same lines, I have a nasty habit of shooting to the level of people around me. It's very difficult for me to set the tone for a stage or a match. When I shoot with GM's or the super squads, I'm right in the middle of the pack fighting like everyone else. When I'm the highest class shooter in a squad, I tend to dial it down a bit and not give that little extra push. I'll come off a stage and be 2-3 seconds ahead of everyone else and feel real good, but when I check the boards, I'm a 1-2 seconds off the pace. I've found ways to minimize this, but it's still a problem for me. I guess I need the someone to set the bar and challange me, before I can step up and really take my best shot (pun intended). Erik

CHP5, Thanks for the vote of confidence. I usually will use the "up" style for long, off hand shots. The most accurate shooters in the world use this style for a reason. Its a very stable shooting platform. Fortunately, we don't have too many stages with 200 yard off hand shots. I will also use it if I'm bracing the rifle around a right sided barricade or wall. KurtM, I completely agree on the "overcontrolling" issue, if you put your support hand on the magwell. I tried this hand position and I got some incredible transitions, but only if the targets were 7yds or closer. At 10 yds, I noticed I couldn't stop the gun precisely where I wanted it. I would pendulum into the A zone and all my savings on my fast transitions would be eaten up by the pendulum swing. I stopped trying at 15 yards as it was clearly becoming slower. I also can't remember the last time I hit my elbow on a wall in a match, but in another world I have clobbered a couple of lamps and one bookcase that left a mark, but I digress. I find having the elbows down helps me negotiate the run & gun stages smoother. I feel faster, setting up and disengaging from targets and transitioning the rifle from shooting to low ready in preparation for movement to the next shooting position. I think the point reiterates my earlier point. The traditional, elbows up (or out) stance has been around in varying degrees for some 100 years. It's pretty well been mastered and it dominates in all hi-power, long range accuracy type contests; While the elbows down style has not evolved into a universally known position. There are many subtle variations and problems (or lively debates like we have here) arise when people are debating the pro's and con's, but they are not on the same page. We each have a understanding of the "new" down style, but apparently they are not the same. This sounds like a good round table discussion after a good match. Maybe after the 3 gun Nationals. Beerwench! Bring another pint for me and my brothers in arms! Well, a man can dream, can't he? Erik

Jason, Everyone is healthy, but we are going through all the normal growing pains. The older one is having some trouble sleeping through the night and its really starting to wear us out. I hope it doesn't go on much longer. How about you? Singlestack, Yeah, it would look a little funny, but the forward pistolgrips help facilitate the "down" technique. They don't work as well with the "up" technique. BerKim, Be careful applying other sports to what we do. There is much more to the "down" technique than just tucking in your wing. It involves a whole different stance, mount, and grip, not just the elbow. You also don't see Trap shooters running down a confined hallway doing 170 degree swings to window ports. I'm sure their technique is quite appropriate for the sport they're competing in. Just be careful about the "apples vs. oranges" comparisons, sometimes they don't translate well. While I may be a bit presumptious and I apologize in advance if I am, I would question how well some others on the forum really understand the "down" technique? From a purely diagnostic point of view, in order to really evaluate which one is better for an individual's use, you need to sufficiently master and experiment with both before you can get a REAL objective result. I may be wrong and I'm sure the others will chime in with their experiences, but afterall, isn't that what we want? I've shot 3 gun for about 6 years. The first two years I used the "up" techniques and did fine. After some extensive research, training, and adaptation, I tried the "down" technique. 2 years ago, I did a side by side comparison of the different styles with a timer. I based it on static & moving courses, split & recovery times, engagement & swing times, and overall perceived recoil. I discovered the "down" technique worked better 80-85% of the time, for me. As such, it's now my preferred method. Maybe I'm doing the "down" technique differently than others, maybe others aren't doing it right themselves, regardless, I think there is a need for both styles. I choose and use one more than another, but I have the ability and the option of using either one. It's one more tool in my toolbox that others have choosen not to use and I'll take every advantage I can get. Many people don't know that Rob Leatham is left handed, but trained himself to shoot right. The end result is he is truly ambidextrious and can shoot with either hand equally well. This is one of the reasons he usually dominates standards stages. Does this option give him an advantage? It sure as hell does. I think we all would like to shoot equally well with both hands, but we don't expend the effort and comittment to do so. When all you have in your toolbox is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail and that isn't always the case. The more tools you have, the more options you have. I think having more options makes you a better shooter and I choose to have as many as possible. If you a one hammer kind of guy, more power to you. May you find nothing but nails. Erik

635 PCSO Speed is a by-product of your technique. As your technique improves, you'll become more efficient. The more efficient you become the less movement you'll need to accomplish a task. The less movement you have, the shorter the time it takes to perform it, and wal-la, you're faster. I think Plaxco gave the best analogy I've heard regarding this subject. Paraphrasing, he said, "Speed and Technique are like a manual shift car. The technique is your gears and the speed is the gas. You can floor the gas (speed), but if you never get out of first gear (technique), you can only go so fast. The higher gears allow you to use the more gas you put into the car to go faster. Without the higher gears, you'll eventually just blow up you engine (Crash & Burn)." You're on the right path, but you have to walk it like all the rest of us. You can't skip to the end. Erik

SS, Must be a slow day, looking to stir up some trouble again? Erik

Chris, Sorry, I was a little slow and didn't pick up on the NASA reference. I kept thinking what the hell was a NASA guy doing in Pa. On another issue, I'm surprised the comps were only held on with the pins. I thought they would have tack welded them also. I guess anything Colt does shouldn't surprise me by now. Erik

Flex- Thanks, that's the link. Chriss- What did you mean by the NASA guy found a way to knock it off? Did he file a complaint? What happened? Erik

GordonB, If you go to Robinson Arms (They make the M-96 Expeditionary Rifles) website and check out the Military section, they have video of FA M-96's with the Ops inc. brake doing 30 round mag dumps. They also show the small dispersion of the rounds on a mountain side about 100 yards away. Pretty impressive. Did I mention this is a 7.62x39 and not the little .223! www.robarm.com Erik [edit] I think this is the direct link to the page that Erik is talking about: http://www.robarm.com/rav02.htm

KurtM, Now I can't argue with that. Erik

Newguy, While Singlestack chose to be very subtle, I can't. I don't know where to start. Are you implying that the football in general should be banned? or just the NFL? You claim 65% are permanently disabled. Are they disabled according to a medical review or are do they just have some nagging injuries that are uncomfortable at times, but don't prohibit any use or movement? What about other sports? What % of pitchers in baseball can no longer pick up a glass of water because their shoulder/elbow/tendons/or rotator cuff is nothing more than mush? What about boxers? I haven't seen a retired boxer yet that doesn't have his nose completely smashed flat against his face. How many boxers have died in the ring? Certainly a lot more than football players on the field. You claim 50% file for bankruptcy two years after leaving the sport. While I disagree on that % I won't dispute it, it doesn't matter. Who's fault is that? It's the players. Why is it that if they are fortunate and talented enough to play in the NFL and make the kind of money it takes most of us mere mortals a lifetime to earn in just a few short years, they are absolved of all personal and financial responsibility? I don't care if 100% are bankrupt after two years, T.S. At the end of the day the are responsible for their actions in all aspects of their life just like you or I. Maybe they should have taken $500 dollars out of that 2 Million signing bonus and hired a financial planner. If you don't like football because it's neaderthalic or barbaric or whatever then stand up and make the statement. As Singlestack stated, it's a free country, but don't hide behind some BS concern about how they are unwitting victims whose bodies are ravaged and destroyed only to be thrown to the trash heap after their entertainment value is spent. They are adults who made a decision to pursue a game they love. Years of hard work and training are required along with some natural talent granted by the grace of God before they ever see a dime. Like any professional athlete, they play the game because they love it. If they get paid its a nice bonus. Many would play if they didn't get paid because it's about the love of the game, not the money. If you have trouble understanding this, then just ask Todd Jarrett, Robbie or Jerry Barnhart. I'm sure they can explain it. Erik

KurtM, Hate to disappoint you, but the Marines do teach the elbows down technique. The regular line grunts don't get it, but Force Recon and FAST teams do, as well as other teams in CQB environments Erik

CHP5, Define reasonably? (You damm lawyers ) Seriously, I think you can do reasonably well, but it will only take you so far. Kinda like shooting a Glock in limited. You can get along pretty well, but there comes a time where it will start to hold you back. I don't think you'll suffer too much on the field courses, but on the stand and hose stages it will be really tough to keep up. Erik

GordonB, While it may look a little odd, you can accomplish some degree of flash suppression with some compensation/brake effect by trying an AK-74 style compensator. Not the one that Bushmaster makes. Check out Marc Kreb's of Krebs custom. He makes an authentic 74 style compensator and has an adaptor collar for installation on a standard thread AR. You can also check out the OPS inc, brakes. They are the new issue muzzle brake on the new military 6.8mm SPC AR's and SPR rifles and are reasonably effective at both flash suppression and compensation. Brownell's should have both models available. Erik

I traded into a relatively new one (50 rds. fired) and I love mine. I also saw the unique look and decided I had to, eventually, have one. I wanted to use it for the Single Stack Classic, but I was rudely informed that it wasn't a true 1911 and I wouldn't be allowed to play. I've got a call into Johnny Cochrane to see if he's interested in taking my discrimination lawsuit. Erik

SS, I guess I should have picked up on that, but I've been in zombie mode all week. '04 has not been a good year to me so far. One thing I forgot to mention was the elbows down technique is a little harder to do if you don't have a pistol grip (i.e.- shotgun), but it can be done. How's it working out for you? Erik

GordonB, You're correct. Elbows up is the traditional way most of us learned to shoot a rifle or a shotgun. The elbow/arm is parallel to the ground. Each technique has some advantages & disadvantages and most shooters are very opinionated as to which one they prefer. Try both of them and see which one works for you. Erik

I ran Montana Gold 115's with 8.4 grains, but that was also the old PF of 175. I would probably start with 7.5 grains and work my way up. Erik

SS, I think you know I prefer the elbows down technique and I can give you many examples of why, but I think its best to be familiar with both depending on the situation. You should try both and see which you prefer for when you have a choice. I find the high elbows technique is a problem when you doing the CQB type courses in tight quarters like hallways and windows, but I find it faster to use the "high elbow" when leaning around walls or barricades. Learn both and use the one that best fits the situation. Erik

Kurt, Thanks for the clarification. Erik